The Relationship Between Back Pain and PTSD Among American Soldiers

As we honor troops this week and reflect on the many who have served our country throughout history, true sacrifice and thankfulness is what comes to mind.  Not only do soldiers sacrifice the comforts of home and security of family while they are deployed, emotional and physical health are battles that continue to ensue, often long after a soldier's return.  New research has shown a startling link between back pain and PTSD in soldiers who've been to war.

PSTD and back pain

One specific study conducted by Department of Orthopaedics of the University of Utah, researched psychological distress and what relationship it has among spine patients at a VA hospital.  In this study of 149 individuals being treated for spine-related injuries in conjunction with the Distress and Risk Assessment Method (DRAM), 79.9% of patients were identified to have "some degree of psychological distress," while 20.1% were classified as normal.  Of those patients identified to have some degree of distress, 43.6% had levels of distress that were considered severe.  It was concluded that those with high levels of distress had greater levels of neck and back pain, used more narcotics for pain and antidepressants, and without surprise had a history with combat, more than those who did not have high levels of distress.

Dr. Eugene Carragee, a former Army reservist and orthopedic surgeon explained the harsh relationship between PTSD and pain, saying,

“Those who have psychological issues have less reserve to deal with chronic pain, and the flip side is those with chronic pain [lose] their psychological reserves” (Spine Journal).  

According to a study conducted by John Hopkins University school of medicine, "musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders are now the number one cause of medical evacuations from Iraq and Afghanistan, not combat injuries," (Chiropractic News & Research). 

Chiropractic Reduces Pain in Veterans of War

In a 2011 study, researchers looked at 171 veterans with back pain who served in the Iraq and Vietnam Wars. Of those who were treated with chiropractic care, over half had a significant reduction of symptoms while the average patient had a 37% reduction in pain.

In another study of 54 veteran patients who suffered from back pain, 43% had a significant reduction in neck pain after being treated with chiropractic care, while 67% had significant improvement in pain, cognitive behavioral symptoms and more.

We have solutions

Here at Davis Family Chiropractic, we remind our patients that pain is not a lifestyle.  If you or someone you know is dealing with similar symptoms, please contact our office to set up an appointment.  We feel strongly in helping you live your best, pain-free, natural life, and supporting your health needs.

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Mattresses: They Can Make or Break You

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One of my primary focuses as a chiropractor, is preventing health problems before the onset of symptoms.  During appointments with patients, examining the spine for postural misalignments, is routine.  Such misalignments, also known as vertebral subluxation, may lead to a wide range of ailments, such as back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and headaches.  Studies have also suggested that vertebral subluxations may be related to ear infections, Parkinson's disease, high blood pressure, colic and other maladies.  In our office, I also emphasizes the power of prevention with my patients by teaching monthly wellness courses and educating patients about vertebral subluxation and how to treat them through chiropractic adjustments, as well as teaching about nutrition, stress reduction and exercise, as a means of preventative measures.

When it comes to rest, your mattress can have a large impact on the quality of your sleep.  If you suffer from disturbed sleep due to shoulder pain, low back pain or spine stiffness, here are a couple of studies to consider:

A 2002 study of 22 individuals between the ages of 25-75 took a look at individuals who had been dealing with ongoing disturbed sleep due to chronic pain of the shoulder, back or spine.  With the implementation of prescribed bedding reduced back pain by 57%, shoulder pain 61% and back stiffness 59%.  The subjects quality of sleep improving by 61%.  (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2002;25:88-92.)

A 2003 study researched mattress firmness and how subjects with back pain responded to either a firm or medium-firm mattress.  The study was conducted according to the European Committee for Standardization which places mattresses and their firmness on a scale beginning at 1.0, the firmest and ending at 10.0 the softest.  The study then took 313 adults who dealt with regular backache and/or stiffness while lying in bed and upon rising, and randomly assigned them to either a firm or medium-firm mattress for 90 days.  The study found that 95% of the subjects who used medium-firm mattresses had less pain in bed and upon rising than the patients who used a firm mattress. (Lancet 2003; 362:1599-604.)

Choosing a Mattress

There are many options for mattresses on the market.  Let's take a look at a handful of them:

Adjustable Beds 

These mattresses make a couple happy, as each sleeper can adjust the head and foot portions of the mattress.  This is definitely a selling point for someone whose spouse has a particular spinal issue.  However, be aware that sleeping with the spine on an angle can instigate vertebral subluxations.

Airbeds

Instead of being filled with springs or foam, the bed is filled with, you guessed it--air!  An airbed allows the consumer to adjust the firmness of the mattress.  This is the kind of mattress that I have and love.

Tempur-Pedic Mattresses

These mattresses are based on the material that was created for NASA's Ames Research Center in the 1970's to protect astronauts from gravitational forces experienced during lift-off.  The mattress' best selling points are it is made of open-celled, temperature sensitive and breathable material, which allows for body weight to be evenly distributed over the entire surface area.

If you are shopping for a new mattress, or will be in the near future, look at all of your options and don't be afraid to tell the sales associate your questions and concerns.  Your mattress and its quality effect both your sleep and your body!

Also, on occasion, local mattress stores offer patients of Davis Family Chiropractic discounts.  Inquire within our office to see about the latest offers.

Best in health, naturally,

Dr. Marc

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17 Quick Tips for a Healthy Spine

One of Dr. Davis' primary focuses as a chiropractor, is preventing health problems before the onset of symptoms.  During his appointments with patients, examining the spine for postural misalignments, is routine.  Such misalignments, also known as vertebral subluxation, may lead to a wide range of ailments, such as back pain, carpel tunnel syndrome and headaches.  Studies have also suggested that vertebral subluxations may be related to ear infections, Parkinson's disease, high blood pressure, colic and other maladies.  Dr. Davis also emphasizes the power of prevention with his clients by teaching monthly wellness courses and educating patients about vertebral subluxation and how treat them through chiropractic adjustments, as well as teaching about nutrition, stress reduction and exercise, as a means of  preventative measure.

1.  Schedule an appointment with Dr. Davis for a chiropractic checkup.  Even the slightest postural discrepancies, over a period of time, can have harmful effects on the spine.  Dr. Marc is educated to detect and prevent such conditions before they turn painful.

2. Strive to be well.  Having a "wellness attitude," is on that focuses on prevention and strives to address issues when they arise, rather than ignore them or try to cover them up with potentially harmful medications.

3.  Switch from coffee to green tea.  Green tea contains the emerald elixir, which is an antioxidant which is filled with healing chemicals that are known to prevent Osteoarthritis, an attack on the spine that occurs in older individuals.

4.  Be an ergonomic expert!  Invest in a headset for your home, office and mobile telephones, to avoid unnecessary neck strain associated with cradling the phone between the shoulder and ear.  Consider trading out your traditional computer mouse, which require repetitive movements that can lead to muscular imbalances, for a touch pad or a roller ball device.

5.  Ask your doctor about glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements in relation to your health situation.  Both supplements are linked with preventing degeneration of cartilage in joints.  Make sure that you speak with your doctor about any other supplements and/or medications that you might be taking.

6.  Watch your water intake.  Six to eight glasses of water a day is essential in keeping the intravertebrae disks separating the spine's vertebrae soft and elastic.  Dehydration can cause the disks to lose flexibility and shrink, thus failing to provide cushion for adjacent vertebrae.

7.  Nourish your spine with daily multivitamins and minerals.  Always consult with your doctor or chiropractor before beginning a new regimen.

8.  Avoid carrying your wallet in your back pocket.  Doing so, may hurt your spine and put unnecessary pressure on your sciatic nerve.  The disproportionate pressure can also lead to posture incongruities which can lead to low-back pain.

9.  Request a posture check from Dr. Davis.  This procedure can help identify any posture problems that you should be aware of, before they become painful or lead to a disorder.

10.  Sleep on your back.  As much as you might like to stretch out on your stomach, sleeping there can tweak vertebrae in your neck, leading to vertebral subluxations.

11.  Choose a soft spine-friendly pillow made from down feathers.  Or ask your doctor about the many therapeutic pillows on the market.  AND make sure you pack your pillow with you while on trips.  You might not know how accustomed you've become to your pillow until you have trouble sleeping at your hotel, or wake up with neck pain the following morning.

12.  Purchase a neck-cradling pillow for road trips and airplane flights.  Extra support while sitting upright for long periods of time, helps avoid strains in the neck area.

13.  Stretch each day.  As a rule of thumb--for every 30 minutes of inactivity i.e. sitting at your desk during work hours, take a three minute stretch break.  Set a timer to remind yourself to be kind to your back.

14.  Be active.  Exercise at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week, and incorporate both strength training and aerobic programs.

15.  Incorporate abdominal strengthening exercises into your fitness regimen.  Low back pain is often associated with weak abdominal muscles.

16.  Pass up excessive caffeine, sugar, processed and fried foods.  Not only do these foods drain the body of energy, they interrupt appropriate nutrients from reaching the spine.

17.  Maintain regular chiropractic checkups to stay subluxation-free.  Ask your doctor to suggest a schedule that will keep you on track.  Remember, your spine is worth the time and effort to avoid pain and be healthy!

Davis Family Chiropractic, PLLC

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Dr. Mancini Discusses Underlying Pain and the Benefits of Chiropractic

Dr. Fabrizio Mancini, DC, President of Parker University and top Doctor in the field of chiropractic, recently discussed pain and chiropractic on the cable series, The Doctors.

What is important to know, he explains, is that pain often stems from another location than we think and for reasons we often fail to recognize.

FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO PAIN:

• Regular travel
• Improperly addressed and/or corrected pain resulting from accidents ie. a fall, auto accidents, sports injuries
• Unbalanced Diet--too much sugar contributing to inflammation
• Stress--built up tension causing a physiological effect on the muscles

If you have not yet been checked by a chiropractor, I urge you to visit one in your area. Silent problems are still problems. It so much easier and cost-effective to catch small problems BEFORE they become a CRISIS. For a limited time, our website has a promotion for a complete Chiropractic check up for you or your loved one. Go to www.davisfamilychiro.com today, print the coupon and then schedule your Chiropractic Check-up by calling (360) 823-2225.

Best in health, Naturally,
Dr. Marc

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Why Your Desk Job May Be Hurting You

The American workforce and the way that it operates across the country has changed incredibly over the last four to five decades.  Fifty years ago, laboring on a farm or in a factory was a common way to make ends meet.  Jump ahead thirty years and insert the web.  Today, a vast majority of Americans spend the better part of their work day at a desk staring into a computer screen, and when we aren't working, we social network, apply for jobs, search recipes, rent movies and do our banking all while sitting and staring into a computer screen.

DANGEROUS DESK WORK

An interesting study done by Pennington, the nation's leading obesity research center, studied individuals who exercised regularly and have a desk job, with individuals who don't exercise regularly but who do work that requires movement.  The results are probably not what you think.

Peter Katzmarzyk, Ph.D., of Pennington states that individuals who exercise regularly but who spend the better part of their day sitting at a desk, are most likely not leading the overall active life that they assumed.  Katzmarzyk's colleague Marc Hamilton, Ph.D., agrees.  "People tend to view physical activity on a single continuum," he says. "On the far side, you have a person who exercises a lot; on the other, a person who doesn't exercise at all. However, they're not necessarily polar opposites."

The article 'Why Sitting all day is slowly killing you' explains this effectively:

"In a 2007 report, University of Missouri scientists said that people with the highest levels of nonexercise activity (but little to no actual "exercise") burned significantly more calories a week than those who ran 35 miles a week but accumulated only a moderate amount of nonexercise activity.

For instance, a "standing" worker—say, a sales clerk at a Banana Republic store—burns about 1,500 calories while on the job; a person behind a desk might expend roughly 1,000 calories. That goes a long way in explaining why people gain 16 pounds, on average, within 8 months of starting sedentary office work, according to a study from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington."

Interesting, right?  Worse than weight gain, are the risk factors associated with prolonged sitting.

DANGERS ATTRIBUTED TO PROLONGED SITTING:

• Higher risk of heart disease
• Higher diabetes risk--less steps raises insulin levels
• Back, spine, hip and shoulder pain
• Posture changes due to the body adapting to the position in which it spends the most time
• Weakening of muscles as the body adapts to the sitting position and uses less muscles to contract movement

So what can be done to lower these risks if your work involves desk work?  Add as much physical activity to your day as possible.  The little things add up.

• Park at the back of the lot
• Take the stairs to your office floor
• Stand while on the phone
• Walk to lunch
• Stretch throughout the day 

Other ways to increase your "non-exercise" regimen:

• Yard Work--the leaves are falling...
• Take the kids to the park
• Clean house
• Playing catch with the dog or kids

What do you do to keep active during your day?

Best in health, naturally,

Dr. Marc

Want to read more on the risk of heart disease and chronic pains related to prolonged sitting?  Read more of  'Why sitting all day is slowly killing you' on MSNBC.

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